New 951 Owner is losing his Mind!!

[Flatsixhead]

Hi guys-

This is my third porsche in 10 years. The first was an 84 3.2 Targa (great car and never had a major issue in 35K miles) The second was a 95 993 cab (Rock solid) I bought a 86 951 with a 89S motor, 88 LS tranny (which now seems to need 2nd gear work) updated chips, lowered, 17 inch wheels and larger turbo etc etc from another PCA member who invested major dough in the car but lost his job so I stepped in to help him out. I've always wanted a 951 and I'm not giving up even though I'm now upside down on the car from a $$ perspective but... After 50 miles the torque tube and clutch needed replaced - another 25 miles on the odo and I pull it into the garage and smelled fluid -It appears that the expansion tank is leaking (Minor in nature) but I can't tell if it's coming from the tank or just the cap. Should I just bite the bullet and purchase a new tank or could it be some else? Also, any suggestions on the trans? Are they easy to pull and swap out? I love this car but it's starting to make me lose my mind..

Thank for listening..

[nize]

i'd recommend replacing the cap. the spring on there usually wears out over time and lets it leak when hot.

[trivgar]

Haven't heard of many tanks failing. They like to get old and yellow though.

[Flatsixhead]

Thanks.. Just put a new cap on and all is good now!! Now I just need to figure out the best solution for the tranny!!

[zedsn]

Hi, find a person that is familiar with 951 transaxles and have it rebuilt. You have a very good transaxle for starters so it is worth the money to get that one rebuilt. They will probably want to replace the clutch plates while they are in there as well. Should be a fairly expensive fix but worth it. If you don't want to go that route you can find a turbo open trans for a decent price and throw that in and sell your LSD trans and recoup your money.

[xupkid2]

Before you go for a rebuild, give changing the fluid a shot. Its worth the $20 to see if it helps. Ultimately you will have to do a rebuild but it may buy you some time. Also when you rebuild you can either address just the 2nd gear issue or see what other issues are out there. If the car was taken care of most likely it will need new synchros, a clutch pack in the LSD and a bearing or two. I only know this because I am in the middle of a rebuild on my 89 951 tranny rebuild however my car is a pure race car. In my opinion I think it is best to just take care of any issues but it is each persons call. Also make sure you find a reputable shop. There are tests that can be done on the LSD clutch packs to determine their shape as well as checking the bearings because some places will say replace them when they may ultimately be ok.

[nize]

i'd be very wary which shop you choose to rebuild that transaxle. only use reputable shops that are familiar with, have worked on the 951 tranny, and have a history to prove it. the wrong shop can end up costing you way more in the end.

here's one i'd recommend, and that rebuilt mine;
http://www.aatransaxle.com/

[Flatsixhead]

Good call.. I will swap out the fluid and see what happens. BTW - I'm also a PCA member in the Chicago region and plan on DE this season!!

[chitown944]

Originally Posted by Flatsixhead

Good call.. I will swap out the fluid and see what happens. BTW - I'm also a PCA member in the Chicago region and plan on DE this season!!

Another Chicagoan..whoo hoo! SOX or sCrUBS?

[Flatsixhead]

Good guys wear black my friend..

[chitown944]

NICE!!! we should check out a game sometime. I'm 7 blocks from Sox Park aka The Cell. What part of town you in.

[Flatsixhead]

I live in La Grange just a few miles from I-55 so it's a quick trip to the cell. I'll send u a PM..

I drove the "Silver Bullet" last night and now third gear started grinding.. (I could not even put it in gear!!!) I called a guy that sells 944 transmissions and he told me that the 944 S trans was the best choice as it had a shorter 5th gear and would make the car quicker. He also said that if I ship my tranny he would install the limited slip in the 944 S tranny and ship it back for $1500.. Does this sound right??

[chitown944]

I wouldnt know too much about that. Maybe senior members can fill you in. I do know that any used limited slip usually sells for $1500 by itself. I would verify that the S tranny is btter than a Turbo Tranny. I've understood that the Turbo Tranny are the best because there the strongest and can put up with a lot of punishment. I would search the S trannys and see if they would hold up to a Turbos power first.

[nize]

Originally Posted by Flatsixhead

I called a guy that sells 944 transmissions and he told me that the 944 S trans was the best choice as it had a shorter 5th gear and would make the car quicker. He also said that if I ship my tranny he would install the limited slip in the 944 S tranny and ship it back for $1500.. Does this sound right??

this thread is for you;
WTB Turbo Short fifth gearset

[xupkid2]

Since your in the Chicago area, the reputable shops I can think of are Eurosport in Bensenville, Fischer Motors in Barrington or any of the dealers. Each dealer in this area has a tech who is good with the older cars. A full tranny rebuild isn't cheap probably $2-3k. You may be better off seeing if you can find a used one or a relatively rebuilt one. Mine is being rebuilt now and I considered going with a recently rebuilt one but decided I'd rather start all new vs getting someone elses potential problem.

Since your planning to DE will you be doing it through PCA?? Have you ever DE'd before? Our Chicago PCA region has a great Novice day at Blackhawk on May 6th. If your ging I'll see you there. I have a black 89 Turbo #82.